The upcoming Chinese historical mystery drama Youthful Glory has a premiere date and it’s just about as close as it can possibly be — tomorrow, May 19th, 2025 — on Mango TV.
Unfortunately for the cast, writer and director, if some Chinese commentators are to be believed, it’s just another rehashed drama with a rehashed plot, and the same old tropes.
(Additional note: the above mentioned Chinese commentator has some interesting things to say about the history of arranged marriages in China, and the misery they often wrought — run it through your favorite AI engine for a translation).
Youthful Glory is adapted from the novel Little Cardamom (小豆蔻) by Bu Zhi Shi Ke Cai (不止是颗菜), with a plot that goes something like this…
It follows the story of Prince Jiang Xu of Dingbei and Ming Tan, the daughter of a military family, who uncover court conspiracies and solve cold cases after their arranged marriage, eventually falling in love in the process.
Yep. I believe I have watched something like this before. Several times. Haven’t you?
That being said, how cleverly it is written, directed and acted could make a difference. And what the level of chemistry is like — mid or off the charts — between the two leads.
That’s why I am definitely not making a judgement until I have watched at least the first five episodes. I mean, really, why would you?
Plus, the director is Min Guo Hui (闵国辉) and, while others weren’t huge fans of Miss the Dragon, I enjoyed it. Especially where the second couple was concerned.
The cast of Youthful Glory
The upcoming C-drama looks like an even more possible gem, despite the rehash, as the Youthful Glory cast is an excellent one.
Its main cast is Song Wei Long (I adored him in A League of Nobleman) as male lead Jiang Xu, and Bao Shang En (superb in The Legend of Heroes) as female lead Ming Tan.
You usually can’t go wrong with either of them, in my experience.
The C-drama’s supporting cast also features several favorites, including Dai Lu Wa (a big reason I loved Lost You Forever), Ke Ying (not a fan of Hard Noble Lady, but loved her performance in it), Bai Shu (I just love that man, and he was superb in A Moment But Forever), and Qin Xiao Xuan (did an excellent job in the just-completed Love in Pavilion).
To my utter delight, Sun Zu Jun (The Secret of Three Kingdoms) also sneaks into a supporting role somewhere as well.
All in all then, while sure Youthful Glory could turn out to be dross, you shouldn’t judge a book from its tired, old cover, eh?
Youthful Glory premieres tomorrow on Mango TV, which I guess means, just like the ongoing Love Never Fails, it should be free-to-watch for much of the English-speaking world via their YouTube channel.
Fingers crossed.
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